Cash, cars and contraband: tobacco raids target shops
Savannah Meacham |
A fake wall full of cash has been found along with a secret tobacco store in a crackdown on illegal traders.
Almost $500,000 in cash and assets including a top of the range Mercedes has been seized after Queensland launched raids on the tobacco black market.
Raids were carried out on more than 20 stores across the state’s southeast after the shops were fined for selling illegal tobacco but failed to pay the penalties.
During one raid, police officers found the shop owner was trying to hide cash behind a fake wall in the back of their store.
Another was operating a hidden tobacco shop at the rear of their retail store.
Officers have seized $468,000 in cash and other assets, including a Mercedes AMG and an SUV, during the raids since early May.
“Our officers will continue to ensure these debtors face consequences by seizing their cash and other property until these debts are paid,” State Penalties Enforcement Registry director Kim Easton said.
It comes months after a Queensland Health operation seized more than 76,000 vapes, 19 million illicit cigarettes and 3.6 tonnes of loose illicit tobacco.
The haul had an estimated street value of $20.8 million.
Queensland introduced nation-leading fines for retail store operators who sold illegal tobacco and vapes in April.
Individuals can be fined $32,260, up from $3226, and corporations can be slapped with $161,300, up from $16,130.
It follows laws introduced in September, enabling authorities to close offending businesses for up to six months – a penalty no other state has introduced.
Treasurer David Janetzki said a number of stores had chosen to close permanently due to the recent enforcement actions.
“We’ll continue to support SPER and other agencies so they can use their full powers under the law to prevent chop shops from selling illegal tobacco and vapes, particularly to young Queenslanders,” he said.
Illegal tobacco sales have prompted violence in southern states, with more than 100 firebombings in Victoria in two years, while seven men have been arrested across Sydney over the theft of illegal cigarettes and chop-chop, or loose tobacco, in the past year.
It is believed the attacks and thefts are a result of ongoing wars between criminal gangs over illegal tobacco profits.
AAP
